Skate-wheel



(No Model.) A. J. MAUERMANN.

SKATE WHEEL.

No. 516,502. Patented Mar. 13

.ATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT J. MAUERMANN, OF DEL RIO, TEXAS.

SKATE-WH EEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 516,502, dated March13, 1894.

Application filed July 31, 1893 $erial No.- 482, 012. (No model.) I

T0 on whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALBERT J. MAUERMANN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Del B10, in the county of Val Verde and State of Texas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Skate-Wheels; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear,'and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to that class of wheels which are used inconnection with roller skates although it is applicable to various otheruses as will appear hereinafter and it contemplates the production of askate roller or wheel which will give to the skate a sliding or glidingmovement, as distinguished from the rough irregular rolling movement,thereby imitating as nearly as possible the action of the ice skate.

To this end my invention consists essentially of a stationary runner orslide rigid to the skate and arranged in a circular rim or tire, so thatthere will be as little friction as possible between the two parts, therunner being adapted when in operation, to slide along its bearing inthe rim or tire and by this means the tire is made to turn as in theordinary wheel. This occasions the desired progressive motion.

Referring to the drawings herewith for a detailed description of myinvention Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a roller skateequipped with my invention; Fig. 2 a section of the wheel taken in aline at right angles to the axis; Fig. 3 a section taken in a lineextending longitudinally through the axle; Fig. 4 a similar section of avaried form, and Figs. 5, 6 and 7 views of various modifications.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 the reference letter A indicates the axle ofthe wheel, which axle is rigidly secured to the body of the skate bymeans of the downwardly projecting hanger B, which is by preferenceintegral with the axle. Formed integral with the axle and extendingdownwardly therefrom and at right angles thereto, is the slide orrunner, O, which is broadened or extended longitudinally at its base andits bearing surface D, is formed with a gradual blunt or rounded point,(see Fig. 3.) The axle A, has formed integral therewith at the samepoint along its length where the runner O, is formed the arms or guidesE, which are by preference three in number and radiate from the axle atright angles to each other and to the runner O, for a distance not quiteequal to that of the runner. The ends of these arms are tapered orpointed in a manner similar to the base of the runner C, as may be seenby reference to Fig. 3.

Arranged around the runner C, and arms E, is the rim F, which isprovided Withasubstantially V- shaped internal groove G, of a sizeslightly greater than the size of the points of the runner and arms. Inthis groove, G, the runner and arms are adapted to fit; the runnerhaving its point bearing in the bottom of the groove while the arms E,are adapted to bear upon one side or the other of the groove as theposition of the skater or skate may require, for example, if the skatershould lean, as in Fig. 3, to the right the arm E would be thrownagainst the right side of the groove, or if to the left, against theleft side. The functions of the arms are simply to guide and steady therim F, and prevent it from tilting too far to either side when promptedby the positions of the skater, they do not, however, assist in any wayin supporting the skate or in the sliding movement of the runner. Therim F, is constructed of metal preferably steel and the surface of thegroove, together with the arms E, and runner 0, should be made as hardas possible; while the periphery of the rim is provided with a rubber orwooden the H, which prevents slipping and tends to reduce the noiseattending the operation of the wheel. I 1

In order to facilitate easily mounting the rim F, and tire H, in thearms E and 0, they are formed of two sections, duplicates of each other,and arranged side by side 'as shown in the drawings. These sections maybe secured to each other by any practical means; it is preferred,however, to use the dowel pins L, and pass them through the twosections. When the sections of the rim have been assembled in the arms,the sections of the tire H are then arranged on the periphery of the rimand secured in place by cementing their contiguous ends. This completesthe wheel.

To guard against the entrance of dirt and grit into the interior of therim F, two circular plates I, are secured to each side of the rim andprovided with a centrally located opening J, through which the axlepasses and these openings are closed by a second pair of plates K, whichare firmly secured to the axle just on the inside of the plates I, wherea comparatively tight joint is formed and the rim F, still allowed itswabbling motion.

The operation of my invention will be obvious, it is thought from theforegoing descrip tion; as the body of the skate progresses the rims arecaused to revolve on the runners.

The form of wheel shown in Fig. at varies from that of Figs. 2 and 3inasmuch as the arms and runner are made of the same length and withtheir points of a size equal to that of the groove in the rim. This willnot permit the wabbling motion of the rim and it may be better adaptedfor some styles of skating. My wheel may also be used in connection withvehicles, and Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the various forms ofmodifications which will adapt it to such uses. These modificationsconsist principally in the form of the runner and groove and no detaileddescription of them will be necessary because they are obvious from thedrawings.

skate when desired by the operator.

When askate is equipped with my improvement it may be advisable toprovide an adjunctive or brake Wheel, L, Fig. 1, the function of whichis to arrest the progress ofrtlllle is is done by tilting the skatebackward and thereby bringing it into engagement with the ground.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

In a wheel, the combination of a rigid axle, a runner dependingtherefrom and secured rigidly thereto, a rim havingin its inner surfacea groove in which the runner is adapted to slide, a radial armprojecting from the axle and fitting loosely in the groove whereby therim is steadied in the runner, a rigid plate on the axle on each side ofthe runner and arm, and a second rigid plate on each side of the rim andprovided with a central opening for the reception of the axle,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Iaffix mysignatnre in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT J. MAUERMANN.

W'itnesses:

G. B. ABERGROMBIE, G. ST. 0. I'IUSSEY, Jr.

